CPM 20CV (M390 equivalent)
Crucible Particle Metallurgy stainless cold work steel — virtually identical to Böhler M390 and Carpenter CTS-204P. 1.9% C, 20% Cr, 4% V, 1% Mo. The highest corrosion resistance of any PM tool steel while maintaining 58–62 HRC hardness and outstanding edge retention. Considered the current benchmark for premium stainless knife steel. Also used for plastic injection mold cavities (mirror polish + corrosion resistance) and food processing cutting tools.
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: CPM 20CV (M390 equivalent) (CRUCIBLE) (Crucible Data) vs ASTM
| Element | CPM 20CV (M390 equivalent) (CRUCIBLE) | ASTM | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1.9% | — | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.5% | — | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5% | — | — |
| Cr | 20% | — | — |
| Mo | 1% | — | — |
| V | 4% | — | — |
| W | 0.6% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
Annealed
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness HB | ≤ 280 | HB |
Hardened + Tempered
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness HRC | 58–62 | HRC |
General
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.62 | g/cm³ |
Heat treatment
| Process | Temperature | Medium | Holding Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardening | 1080–1120 °C | Air/Oil/Plate quench | — | Preheat 870°C, soak 20-30 min |
| Cryogenic treatment | -73–-73 °C | Cryo | — | Recommended: 1h at -73°C after quench |
| Tempering | 200–525 °C | Air | — | Double temper 2h: 200°C→61 HRC, 525°C→58 HRC |
Related materials
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M2 / HS6-5-2
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